Affects from the 2025 fires:

According to LA County's website, "The ocean water advisory due to fire impacts from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach remains in effect until further notice." They suggest that "beach goers may recreate on the sand but continue to be advised to stay away from visible fire debris and to stay out of the ocean water during any posted ocean advisory."

Heal the Bay

According to Heal the Bay, recreating in the ocean and on the beach in non-burn areas does not pose a major risk to beach dwellers. Areas where post-fire debris removal is happening however is not safe. 

On their website they suggest: 

" If you choose to visit our beaches or get in the water, HTB recommends the following safety precautions:

• Avoid areas within 250 yards of active debris removal.

• Wear closed-toe shoes if walking on wet sand, as debris such as broken glass and structural fragments may still wash ashore.

• Never touch trash or debris with bare hands.

• Keep children and pets away from debris, especially in wet sand or high tide areas, where contamination risk may be higher.

• Do not approach injured or distressed wildlife. If you have concerns about a marine mammal, contact the Marine Mammal Care Center at (1-800-39-WHALE).

• Heal the Bay continues to urge beachgoers to recreate south of Santa Monica at Montana Avenue or north of the fire boundary in Malibu, where impacts are significantly lower. 

• Avoid eating seafood caught in Santa Monica Bay. Contaminants in the ocean water exceed safe levels for fish consumption. Additionally, the SoCal coast is experiencing a harmful algal bloom, which may pose a risk when consuming locally caught shellfish. "